IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the editor for April 18, 2013

Published: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 9:16 p.m.

Let's get rational

Not too many months ago, people were outraged when the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, pursuant to “Operation Fast and Furious,” enabled the sale of guns by licensed dealers to illegal straw buyers, in the hope that ATF might be able to track the weapons to Mexican drug cartels. The plan was that the operation would eventually lead to the prosecution and incarceration of cartel leaders. The sting was poorly planned and organized. It resulted in no arrests and the death of at least one federal Border Patrol agent.

Congress is currently considering requiring background checks for all sales of firearms, other than between family members. There has been considerable uproar on both sides of the debate. Yet, curiously, neither side has suggested that it might be useful to require anyone wishing to purchase a gun to provide proof of citizenship.

It seems that the far right opposes any kind of background check, no matter how reasonable, for fear that someone, somewhere in America, might not be able to obtain a firearm whenever he or she wants it, whether or not he or she actually has any legitimate use for it. (Never mind that the Second Amendment calls for a “well-regulated” militia.) The far left apparently dreads the possibility, no matter how remote, that any member of any ethnic group might suffer discrimination in his or her exercise of his or her constitutional rights. Both sides appear to be completely indifferent to the safety of the general public.

If there are any Star-Banner readers who fall somewhere between these political extremes, I hope you will join me in asking our senators and representatives to enact legislation that will impose rational regulations on the purchase and sale of firearms.

Fran Clark

Ocklawaha

Infuriated

Earlier today I was watching the news about the Boston bombings, which featured relatives of the victims and their sorrow. I was feeling strong empathy for these folks when it suddenly struck me — the bomber may be watching these same interviews and laughing at the sorrow he/she caused. This probability sickens and infuriates me.

Nearous Sizemore

Ocala

Missing in action

On Saturday, April 13, at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, I had the honor, together with other World War II veterans, of reading the names of local veterans who had passed away during the previous three months. The Quarterly Memorial event, conceived some 10 years ago by Col. Lamar Hunt and other area chaplain-veterans to honor area men and women who served their country, is currently being organized by retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Wilbur Julius, who describes his charge of the past five years as being “a labor of love.”

As I have at previous quarterly readings, I could not help wondering why there was such a sparse crowd in attendance, this time probably one of the smallest I have seen over the years. Where were the relatives, friends and neighbors of the veterans, 122 in all, whose names we read, along with the solemnity of the rolling drum and the tolling bell? Could we not reasonably have expected at least 122 people to be in attendance at the minimum, one for each name on our lists?

The reasons for this apparent indifference to what is a moving and heartfelt tribute to our veterans? Lack of publicity maybe? The fact is that the Star-Banner published a news item about the event three times in the two weeks prior to April 13.

Other reasons notwithstanding, here is some advance publicity. The next Quarterly Memorial will be on Saturday, July 13, at 10 a.m., when once more we will honor the memory of yet another group of local veterans who answered the call to duty. Will we need lots of extra chairs on the pavilion floor on that day?

Ken Tipper

Ocala

Protect all animals

Regarding the editorial, “Animal cruelty: a community issue” (April 13), while I'm glad to see Mayor Guinn and Humane Society officials taking steps to combat abuse of companion animals, people need to understand that the great majority of horrific animal abuse takes place in factory farms.

Egg-producing chickens are made to live their entire lives cramped in tiny cages in dark sheds; newborn male chicks are ground up alive because they'll never become egg-layers; pigs live in individual iron cages so small they can't turn around; cows are impregnated repeatedly only to have their babies dragged away immediately after birth so their milk can be stolen for dairy products.

All are killed in a most brutal way: by being hoisted by one leg, having their throats slashed and writhing to death.

Their entire lives are miserable so you can enjoy 15 minutes of eating. And there are no laws that preclude this from happening. It's considered “standard procedure.”

The only way to stop the institutionalized cruelty is to stop buying these products. There is no need for any human to drink a cow's milk. We're the only species that has been convinced to drink the milk of another species — and to drink it past infancy. Most of our chronic diseases, like arthritis, heart attacks, cancer and strokes, can be avoided by going vegan.

It's never been easier. Vegan “chicken strips,” “steak tidbits,” and burgers can be found at any grocery store. So can vegan ice cream.

If you want to combat cruelty against dogs and cats, why not protect all animals?

<p><b>Let's get rational</b></p><p>Not too many months ago, people were outraged when the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, pursuant to “Operation Fast and Furious,” enabled the sale of guns by licensed dealers to illegal straw buyers, in the hope that ATF might be able to track the weapons to Mexican drug cartels. The plan was that the operation would eventually lead to the prosecution and incarceration of cartel leaders. The sting was poorly planned and organized. It resulted in no arrests and the death of at least one federal Border Patrol agent.</p><p>Congress is currently considering requiring background checks for all sales of firearms, other than between family members. There has been considerable uproar on both sides of the debate. Yet, curiously, neither side has suggested that it might be useful to require anyone wishing to purchase a gun to provide proof of citizenship.</p><p>It seems that the far right opposes any kind of background check, no matter how reasonable, for fear that someone, somewhere in America, might not be able to obtain a firearm whenever he or she wants it, whether or not he or she actually has any legitimate use for it. (Never mind that the Second Amendment calls for a “well-regulated” militia.) The far left apparently dreads the possibility, no matter how remote, that any member of any ethnic group might suffer discrimination in his or her exercise of his or her constitutional rights. Both sides appear to be completely indifferent to the safety of the general public.</p><p>If there are any Star-Banner readers who fall somewhere between these political extremes, I hope you will join me in asking our senators and representatives to enact legislation that will impose rational regulations on the purchase and sale of firearms.</p><p><i>Fran Clark</p><p>Ocklawaha</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Infuriated</b></p><p>Earlier today I was watching the news about the Boston bombings, which featured relatives of the victims and their sorrow. I was feeling strong empathy for these folks when it suddenly struck me — the bomber may be watching these same interviews and laughing at the sorrow he/she caused. This probability sickens and infuriates me.</p><p><i>Nearous Sizemore</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Missing in action</b></p><p>On Saturday, April 13, at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, I had the honor, together with other World War II veterans, of reading the names of local veterans who had passed away during the previous three months. The Quarterly Memorial event, conceived some 10 years ago by Col. Lamar Hunt and other area chaplain-veterans to honor area men and women who served their country, is currently being organized by retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Wilbur Julius, who describes his charge of the past five years as being “a labor of love.”</p><p>As I have at previous quarterly readings, I could not help wondering why there was such a sparse crowd in attendance, this time probably one of the smallest I have seen over the years. Where were the relatives, friends and neighbors of the veterans, 122 in all, whose names we read, along with the solemnity of the rolling drum and the tolling bell? Could we not reasonably have expected at least 122 people to be in attendance at the minimum, one for each name on our lists?</p><p>The reasons for this apparent indifference to what is a moving and heartfelt tribute to our veterans? Lack of publicity maybe? The fact is that the Star-Banner published a news item about the event three times in the two weeks prior to April 13.</p><p>Other reasons notwithstanding, here is some advance publicity. The next Quarterly Memorial will be on Saturday, July 13, at 10 a.m., when once more we will honor the memory of yet another group of local veterans who answered the call to duty. Will we need lots of extra chairs on the pavilion floor on that day?</p><p><i>Ken Tipper</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Protect all animals</b></p><p>Regarding the editorial, “Animal cruelty: a community issue” (April 13), while I'm glad to see Mayor Guinn and Humane Society officials taking steps to combat abuse of companion animals, people need to understand that the great majority of horrific animal abuse takes place in factory farms.</p><p>Egg-producing chickens are made to live their entire lives cramped in tiny cages in dark sheds; newborn male chicks are ground up alive because they'll never become egg-layers; pigs live in individual iron cages so small they can't turn around; cows are impregnated repeatedly only to have their babies dragged away immediately after birth so their milk can be stolen for dairy products.</p><p>All are killed in a most brutal way: by being hoisted by one leg, having their throats slashed and writhing to death.</p><p>Their entire lives are miserable so you can enjoy 15 minutes of eating. And there are no laws that preclude this from happening. It's considered “standard procedure.”</p><p>The only way to stop the institutionalized cruelty is to stop buying these products. There is no need for any human to drink a cow's milk. We're the only species that has been convinced to drink the milk of another species — and to drink it past infancy. Most of our chronic diseases, like arthritis, heart attacks, cancer and strokes, can be avoided by going vegan.</p><p>It's never been easier. Vegan “chicken strips,” “steak tidbits,” and burgers can be found at any grocery store. So can vegan ice cream.</p><p>If you want to combat cruelty against dogs and cats, why not protect all animals?</p><p><i>Ken Burke</p><p>Ocala</i></p>